Maha: RR Patil back as Home Minister

Mumbai, Nov 9: Former Home Minister RR Patil will once again claim his seat as the state Home Minister, a year after he was forced to resign for his insensitive remark during the 26/11 terror attacks.

The other ministers in the new cabinet includes NCP leader Jayant Patil, who will handle Rural Development Ministry in place of the Home Ministry which he was handling in the former government.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Harsvardhan Patil and Balasaheb Thorat will retain their Public Works Department, Marketing, Cooperative and Parliamentary Affairs and Agriculture portfolios respectively.

Sunil Tatkare, former Power Minister, will now be the Finance Minister as Ajit Pawar, nephew of NCP leader Sharad Pawar will be handling the Power Ministry in addition to the Water Resource Ministry.

Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane, who was the industry minister, will be the new Revenue Minister and the Industry portfolio will be handled by Rajendra Darda, while Patangrao Kadam who was the Revenue Minister earlier will now handle Forest portfolio.

Portfolio for Food and Civil Supplies will be handled by NCP leader, Anil Desmukh and Laxman Dhoble will be the Water Supply Minister. Rajesh Tope will be the Minister for Higher education.